Illinois State Library

IPLAR & BIBLIOSTAT

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IPLAR PURPOSES

The collection of Illinois public library information and statistics serves these purposes: The Illinois State Library, a division of the Illinois Office of the Secretary of State, is the agency legally required by the Illinois Compiled Statutes [hereinafter referred to as ILCS] to: (1) compile, preserve and publish public library statistical information [15 ILCS 320/7(m)], and (2) compile the annual report of local public libraries and library systems submitted to the State Librarian pursuant to law [15 ILCS 320/7(n)].

The Illinois State Library is a participant in the Federal-State Cooperative System for Public Library Data (FSCS) that requires the collection of a core set of national public library data. All fifty states are participants in the FSCS data collection, analysis, and comparison program.

Public libraries are encouraged to utilize the collected data, both at the state and federal levels, to compare themselves with their peers at the regional, state, and national levels.